A Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East and Throughout the World

Pope Francis has declared September 7th A Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, the Middle East and Throughout the World. He has called for "all the Church to live this day intensely...Let us raise a cry for peace all over the world!" There are a couple of local opportunities to join in communal prayer...

Holy Rosary in West Seattle (4210 SW Genesee St) is opening their church for five hours of prayer to coincide with the service at St. Peter's Square in Rome. You can attend anytime between 10am and 3pm. All are welcome. Click here for more information.

St. James Cathedral in downtown Seattle (corner of 9th and Marion) is also offering an Interfaith Prayer and Procession for Peace in Syria at 7:00pm. People of all faiths are invited to gather for an interfaith prayer and candlelight procession for peace in Syria. Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders will come together in prayer for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the Middle East. Following the brief prayer at St. James, all are invited to join in a candlelight procession to the outdoor plaza at Temple de Hirsch Sinai at 1511 E Pike for the concluding prayer. This event is being sponsored by St. James Cathedral, Temple de Hirsch Sinai, the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and St. Mark's Episcopal. All are welcome. Click here for more information.

If you happen to be in Tacoma on Saturday, you can join in prayer at Bellarmine Prep's St. Aloysius Chapel (2300 S. Washington, Tacoma) from 1-3pm. The vigil will include prayers, the Rosary, music and a reading of Pope Francis' invitation. Click here for more information.

If you are unable to attend any communal prayer services, please consider using the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' "Prayer for the People of Syria" for your own personal prayer. You might also consider fasting in solidarity on this day.